Gnewfry's Journal, 03 July 2014

You have to want to improve your health above everything else. Constantly remind yourself why you need to lose weight and make healthy food choices until it becomes second nature. You can find support and motivation here but it is up to you and you alone to succeed.  

This is your conscience speaking ;-) Step away from the chips. Chips aren't a snack. Chips are a rare special occasion treat. Any snacky veggies in the house? I'm thinking things like bell pepper strips, cucumber slices, baby carrots or even some apple slices with lowfat cheese. Days like this hit me too Gnewfry. You can do this though and you know you want to. Just think of how much better you're going to feel with fewer lbs and less processed food in your system! 

Vickie is right. I think you don't have any children, so it would be so much easier for you to just keep healthy snacks in the house. I never keep it in the house. If there not there, I cannot have it. Period. I think the reality is that you must give up junk food. At least for now. If you read all the journals of people who are near goal weight or next to goal weight, the common denominator that they have besides exercice is that they gave up junk foods. For the most part. Maybe not 100% but 80% of their food is whole foods. I don't think there's any getting around that, because junk food keeps you addicted. Meaning, you always want more. Anyway Gerri! How can we help? We want to support you! I want to support you, you seem like such a nice person. Value your health, it's the best investment you'll ever make. Blessings.  

Don't lose motivation- even if you eat wrong types of food- try to at least track calories- it does help- try to stay within 1200-1400 calories a day and when you are getting closer to goal it will be around 1200 a day- try at least walking exercise if nothing elsr 

I was always snacking, then when I decided enough was enough I cut out snacking. I always have a bottle of cold water with me and I just tell myself thats it. 

Well I can relate to what you are saying, and the only thing I can suggest is, when you want to snack grab something that is better for you. Even drink more water, there are going to be days like this and the best thing to do is just keep moving forward. I am behind you 100%, so no worries you are not alone. :) 

If you increase your healthy fats (coconut oil, butter, olive oil) you will not feel hungry which leads to snacking. I start my day with a fat coffee. Butter, coconut oil and heavy whipping cream in my coffee. Then I eat as usual. I have two to three of these fat coffee's and I'm not hungry but I do eat to reach my BMR. My BMR is 1630. Find out what your BMR is and stick close to that (its the calories you burn at rest).  

I disagree about the gym membership. You won't suddenly be motivated by paying a lot for it. I prefer to walk my dog early in the morning. It starts my day well. If you don't have a dog, find a human friend to meet up. Find what you enjoy and force yourself to do a little each day. Good luck! 

I agree with Kmcollins. The key is to find something physical that u like to do. Take classes like Zumba or Bollywood. There's so many things to choose from than just going to the gym and maybe walking on a treadmill. Also, if your working out, it may make u feel less guilty when u go off your diet.  

You don't need a gym. I have my treadmill, bike, dumbbells and kettle bell in the basement. That's my gym. I use it anytime I want. No membership required. Once I got started and it was purely for physical therapy, and then seeing results, it was something I wanted to do. Give it a try for several weeks. It may be difficult, but if you're wanting to lose and get healthy, it will happen. 

Why don't you start off real simple like walking 15 minutes in one direction then walking back. Try that 3x a week. Increase on that by 5 minutes every week, etc. until you can walk 45 minutes, then in about 3 months time you might be up to walking 30 minutes in one direction and back. Walking is the easiest thing to do as we do it everyday. Get yourself your cd player, cell phone with music and enjoy the walk. You can do it, just don't overload yourself with a lot right now. It will all come together for you, and you will know when the time is right because you will get that "aha" moment. That is when you are truly ready to dig deep and make the changes you really want to make for yourself. I agree with Kmcollins. You can do it. The thing is, you just have to START! Good Luck! 

you're right. i didn't have any crunchy healthy snacks. that would have helped to some degree anyway. i will have to go get some. i had been craving those tortilla chips for nearly a month. i don't have kids, but my husband is eating snacks. he buys the tortilla chips. the cookies are all me. i've had them for over a month, which is miraculous, and i'm almost done now. no more. i've been tracking all of this, so that's good at least. the one day i was 150% over my rdi! but i still tracked. most of the other days i have been within 10%. i set my rdi at 2000 because that was what calculator.net suggested. i can't imagine going down to 1200-1400. i do already have a gym membership. i go and use the pool for water aerobics. i have fibromyalgia so i can only do gentle exercises. i'm in the class with the arthritis people. i tried a more high energy class and paid for it over several days. unfortunately, i hate walking. i keep trying it though. my back hurts and i can only do a little bit, a really little bit. not even 15 minutes. i don't have a treadmill, and i think i would hate that more than regular walking anyway. i like the pool. although, 4 out of the 5 instructors don't keep the beat during the aerobics. that's frustrating. i try to never miss the one that does keep the beat. it's a lot more fun and you feel like you're dancing to the music. thanks everyone!! 

I was an avid walker, and paddleball player. I now have my L1, L2, L3 and S1 (slip disc in back) and bursitis in the left hip. Total left side is partially disabled. The accident happened in May of 2011, and I am just now starting to walk again, June, 2014. This on top of arthritis in the lower leg and heart disease. While it was a debilitating setback, I knew that if I ever gave up trying and kept making up excuses not to try to exercise, I would end up a cripple. There were days I couldn't even walk 1/2 a city block due to the spasms, I would get in my back . But I never gave up. We have to remember, there is gonna come a day, we won't be able to move around like we did in our younger years as we age. Every step I take today, is for my health. I am proud to say that I am 62 but I feel like I am 42. Thank God for Exercise! If I can do it you can to. Never say Never. You are only gonna get as good as you give. Give it your all. Feel Better, as I have been in your shoes for sure. Have a great weekend. 

Walked over 5 miles, (over 10,0000) 2 weeks ago. Yes! I am getting my body back. 

Don't give up it is so worth not having the weight on and knowing you are better off for it! Hang in there we are all in the same boat. 

@c67241, thanks a lot for your comments. i do not have any injury to my spine. my back hurts simply because i am too fat. i can walk a couple of blocks. but after hearing from you, i feel like i should just go out and try it again. my back doesn't hurt THAT much, and it goes away the moment i sit down. i just don't like it. but i can try again. thanks. @mh, thanks too. 

Not being funny, but this is how I started re-walking. I bought me a "walker." So when I got tired, I could turn around and sit on it until I got myself together and continue my walk. I don't care about what people thought of me with my walker, I knew I had to do something to get mobile again, and today I can say, that that walker saved my life. Right now it sits in my living room. I am not saying that everyday I am pain free but on my good days, "watch out..." I love your spirit for looking at this in a different light. I promise you, you won't regret it. P.S. do you have a pedometer? You will be surprised how many steps you have taken while being your own physical therapist. 

i don't have a pedometer. my husband has a fitbit and he loves it. i walk so few steps, i never saw the point. today i have to walk out to get cigarettes. not the healthiest choice, i know, but it will make me definitely get out and walk. 

i took a little walk today. just under 1/2 mile and just under 10 minutes. going to do a bit more tomorrow. thanks for the inspiration linda. 

Keep up the good work in the pool! By all means do excercise only that are set for your health conditions! I DO Not want you to injure back any more than it is!!!!! Happy weekend holiday! !!